Matrix Metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 Expression in Stages II-III Breast Cancer in Iraqi Women

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women worldwide. Metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 participate in tumor invasion and metastasis by degrading extracellular matrix. In this study, we investigated the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in breast tissues of Iraqi women with stage II and III breast cancer. The correlation between the expression levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in stage II-III breast cancer and clinicopathological features was also examined. The expression levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in the breast were determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry in 64 patients with stages II-III samples and in 21 benign tumors from Iraqi women. The mRNA levels of MMP2 and MMP9 were significantly higher in breast cancer stages II-III than those in benign breast tumor tissues at P< 0.05. Immunohistochemistry also revealed that the protein levels of MMP2 and MMP9 were 72% and 64% in patients with stages II-III breast cancer as compared to 28% and 23% in benign breast tumor. The increased levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in stages II-III breast cancer were correlated to tumor grade (P=0.04 and 0.01, respectively), stage (P=0.03 and 0.05) and type (P=0.004 and 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.009 and 0.04), respectively.MMP2 and MMP9 expression levels were increased in stages II-III of breast cancer in Iraqi women and their levels were correlated with tumor grade, stage and type and lymph node metastasis.These metalloproteinases can be used as biomarkers for breast cancer progression and metastasis.